James Michael Tyler, well known for his role as Gunther in the TV sitcom Friends, has died at the age of 59.
“Tyler passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Sunday morning,” Tyler’s manager said.
“If you met him once you made a friend for life,” it added. “[He] is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carno, the love of his life.”
The actor was reported to have diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2018 which later spread to his bones.
“Wanting to help as many people as possible, he bravely shared his story and became a campaigner for those with a prostate to get a… blood test as early as 40-years-old,” his manager stated
However, he did not control the same amount of screen time as the six main Friends characters, Gunther was and continues to be a popular character among fans.
In the tv show, Gunther worked as a waiter and manager in the coffee house called Central Perk.
He had a crush on Rachel (Jennifer Aniston’s character) throughout the series, who also worked there as a waitress in the show’s initial seasons.
“The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh Friend)… but Michael’s loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer-awareness advocate, and loving husband”, his manager added.